Netflix unveils download feature for offline binge-watching

Netflix is making some content available for download to watch offline, starting with "The Crown" and "Orange is the New Black."

Netflix is making some content available for download to watch offline, starting with "The Crown" and "Orange is the New Black."

Lucas ShawBloomberg

Netflix Inc. is making some TV shows and movies available for download to watch offline, providing its users a feature that has become a must-have for binge-watchers.

Many fans have requested to watch Netflix content without an internet connection, especially those in emerging markets with limited internet access. The world's largest online TV network will roll out the feature on phones and tablets for all subscribers, but only for select shows such as "The Crown" and "Orange is the New Black" at first, according to a statement Wednesday.

Netflix has been signaling it would add a downloading option in recent months, as a way to continue increasing its subscriber base and match video-streaming Amazon.com. Offline viewing will make Netflix shows more accessible to customers around the world, particularly in developing markets in Asia and Africa.

Netflix has 86.7 million customers worldwide, 47.5 million of whom live in the U.S. The company now relies on international markets for most of its growth, and earlier this year expanded its footprint to the entire world, save for China, Syria, North Korea and Crimea.

"While many members enjoy watching Netflix at home, we've often heard they also want to continue their 'Stranger Things' binge while on airplanes and other places where internet is expensive or limited," said Eddy Wu, Netflix's director of product innovation, in a web post.